Devil of a Cookbook by Fiona Hoskin

Devil of a Cookbook is the result of two of its author’s passions in life. Fiona Hoskin is the Tasmanian branch manager for Thermomix, so the recipes in the book are designed for use with the advanced kitchen appliance. But the thing that really appeals to us about the book is this: all proceeds from sales will go to the Devil Island Project, to protect the endangered Tasmanian Devil, a much-loved icon of wildlife in Tasmania.

After guests were treated to morning tea and a celebratory glass of champagne, Grace Mazur, Managing Director of Thermomix in Australia, took to the microphone. Congratulating Fiona Hoskin on the launch, she then introduced Tasmanian parliamentarian Kerry Finch, a patron of the Devil Island Project. He spoke about Fiona’s efforts to raise money and awareness of the plight of the Tasmanian Devil and the fight against Facial Tumour Disease.

We met Fiona Hoskin about 12 months ago. Intrigued by the Devil of a Cookbook concept, we kept in touch, keen to share the outcome with you. As with many worthy fundraising initiatives, it’s been a mammoth effort from idea to realisation, with delays and hurdles along the way. The eventual publication of the book is a triumph in itself. But now (having heard Kerry speak) we have a renewed respect for Fiona, the driving force behind the book.

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Fiona Hoskin with Gavin from Think Tasmania

As a well-respected and celebrated Tasmanian chef, Fiona was able to lend her name and recipes to the Devil of a Cookbook and gain instant recognition. And she could well have left the association there and been praised for her involvement. But that’s not what she did. She jumped in, boots and all, as an ambassador for the conservation of the iconic and endangered Tasmanian Devil.

Recipes for the latest in the Thermomix collection of cookbooks, have been designed by Tasmanian consultants and customers. There’s a Sticky Lime Cake by Joan Wylie of Burnie that sounds divine; and a Sixty Second Fruit Cake by Tina Singline of Bicheno that will make Christmas a whole lot easier for some! Fiona worked tirelessly to collect and collate all the contributions, as well as donating recipes for some of her own signature dishes (from acclaimed former Launceston restaurant Fee and Me).

Fiona also convinced world-renown chef and Tasmanian ambassador Tetsuya Wakuda to join her mission. Tetsuya wrote the foreword for Devil of a Cookbook and contributed a handful of recipes. They include Lobster Ravioli with Tomato and Basil Vinaigrette; and Grilled Fillet of Veal with Wasabi and Sea Urchin Butter. He was also in attendance at the launch and spoke of his passion for fresh produce; the worthwhile cause to protect a native species, and his love of Tasmania in general.

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Tetsuya Wakuda, Tasmanian ambassador

Working on recipes and collaborating with industry colleagues for Devil of a Cookbook might sound like just a day’s work for a top chef. But Fiona also ran the London Marathon to raise international awareness and funds to build the first Devil Island. A marathon! And more than once, actually. That’s some serious commitment. Other events have been held over the years, involving dinners and dancing… but a marathon? Wow! Apparently a Tasmanian Devil runs the equivalent of a marathon every night in the quest to eat, so there’s the connection.

We must stress that Fiona did not embark on all these tasks on her own. The Devil Island Project (DIP) is the brainchild of Bruce Englefield, and actually deserves a separate feature article (that’s coming soon). Suffice to say that an army of men, women and children have volunteered their time, effort and expertise to raise an enormous amount of money over several years. Some of them with a high profile, such as Shane Gould, also a patron of the DIP and in attendance at the launch.

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Fiona Hoskin, Tasmanian manager for Thermomix

But for now we’d like to add to the chorus congratulating Fiona Hoskin on the release of Devil of a Cookbook. She’s an inspiration to all of us. Next time someone complains about being too busy… thoughts will return to Fiona. Her campaign to help save the Tassie Devils proves that one person can make an incredible difference.

Devil of a Cookbook sells for $40 and is a stunning collection of recipes, with images of both food and scenery from Tasmania. For more information you can like Devil of a Cookbook on Facebook. If you’d like more details, just contact Think Tasmania or leave a reply on this article and we’ll forward your details.

Comments relevant to this article are always most welcome, just leave a reply below. But first… please confirm the date of this article. Have you found something current, or is this ancient information? Either way, thanks for your company and come back again soon.

About The Author

Researching and reporting all things Tasmanian: what a great job! That's where Tania finds herself now, immersed in the fantastic lifestyle offered by Australia's island state. With her family, she lives it, writes about it and takes the photos to promote it. And now she shares it all with her readers...

22 Comments

Thanks for your kind words and for helping me celebrate the launch of this beautiful book! So many people played a part in bringing it to life and deserve my thanks and praise.

Thermomix Australia Head Office team led by Grace Mazur – their contribution was HUGE! They tested all the recipes (to the detriment of their waistlines at times!)and have paid all design, printing and publishing costs for the book – Thanks Thermomix!

Tetsuya and Thermomix customers and consultants for contributing recipes towards the book and for their hard work leading up to the launch and for ensuring the launch went smoothly – Thanks heaps!

To my Devil Island team members who were present and to those absent after completing the latest London marathon – you are all an inspiration to me! Thank you!

So many people working together making a difference – together we will go down in history as the generation that helped save the Tasmanian Devil. It’s up to the public now to support us by buying the book – hope you all enjoy it!

Hi Juls
We’ve had another enquiry about the book this week too, and we contacted Fiona via email. Apparently “Devil of a Cookbook” is no longer published, so you probably won’t be able to purchase a new copy from Thermomix. We managed to connect another reader with a second-hand copy via our Facebook page. Maybe Thermomix will be coerced to re-print if there’s enough interest? Sorry we can’t give you more good news.

pam fanning (user king Islandndnd)
on 20 May 2012 at 5:59 pm

Hi Fiona, congratulations on producing such a superb book AND helping to save our devils !
I received my copy two days ago and can’t put it down…cooking up a storm and can’t wait to get to the rhubarb champagne!
Congratulations also to all who helped and Thermomix whose generosity helped towards costs.
I love my Thermomix, Pam Fanning

I am the founder and CEO of the Devil Island Project. Fiona has kindly forwarded on to me a copy of the article about the cookbook. It is brilliant and I want to thank you very much for taking the time and making such an effort. Fiona is my original Devil’s Angel and her contribution to the Devil Island Project is unquantifiable. We would never have achieved what we have without her, simple as that.

I would like to put your article onto our website and so I am asking your permission to do so. Naturally, I would give full credit to you and Think Tasmania. It would be very exciting to have you on board.

You probably know I’m in the UK at present recovering from the marathon and fundraising. The Devil Islanders team have just passed the $10000 dollar mark from the marathon run. I’m also meeting up with Elizabeth Murcheson who is researching about the devil over here at Cambridge uni. We will be talking about our new project to build the ‘Great Devil Wall of Tasmania’ (GDWOT) etc. I’m also project managing at arms length the building of the latest Devil Island at Tasmania Zoo which is nearing completion. We are hoping to have an official opening in September and to officially launch the GDWOT then on threatened species day.

Thanks again for helping to keep the dear Tasmanian Devil in the public eye. Our slogan is Too precious to lose–FOREVER!

Hi Jeffrey
I hope Fiona was eventually able to contact you. We sent on your message, but she did have some difficulty trying to reach you. If you haven’t heard from her yet, please contact us again (maybe with a different email address?).
All the best, Tania

Great news for everyone involved with this project. Devil of a Cookbook has won the Best Fundraising, Charity, Community Book in the Pacific category at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris! This note came from author Fiona Hoskin…

Hi Tania, thank goodness you wrote the article about the book! A huge thank you to YOU for getting the ball rolling for our very exciting win! It is a wonderful achievement for all concerned but particularly for our little devils who will benefit the most from extra book sales generated from the media attention and kudos the book will receive. A win for Tassie too with all those beautiful shots of Tassie tempting people down to our beautiful Isle! Thanks again, Fiona

We are just so pleased Edouard Cointreau of Gourmand International (France) read the article and contacted Think Tasmania about the awards so the book could be nominated. Well done to everyone involved in such a worthwhile project. We’re very happy to have assisted such a good cause in our own small way.

It’s possible the book may not have been written at all if it weren’t for the Thermomix community and their supporters, Angela. Their team have such a great marketing department and network, they would have sold lots of copies and they have actually already raised a great deal of money for the cause. Maybe someone could write another recipe book aimed at the non-Thermomix market to be sold in bookstores and donate all those proceeds to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Fund as well. Wouldn’t that be terrific?